Happy Birthday D.

darin birthday from Darin Warnick on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday D.  I fall in love all over again with you every day.  So much of my triumphs come from you supporting me and cheering me on.   You step in and take over when my heart can't handle it any more. I am forever grateful for that.  Thank you for being the dad Ivy needs and the husband I always dreamed of.  I can't wait to spend forever with you.



photo credits...
Foto Novella
Stacy Marie Photography
Speckled Hen Photography

music... Ingrid Michaelson I can't help falling in love with you

Level Up Photography Workshops {Giveaway CLOSED!}

WINNER!!  Kristen You are the lucky lady today!  I'll be emailing you shortly to get you all set!!

Hey guys I have a giveaway for you today!  Ooooh Lucky!

Did you get that new DSLR camera you wanted for Christmas?  Its March now, do you know how to use all those fancy settings to get the most out of your camera?  Well Darin wants to give away another spot in his upcoming Intro to Photography class on March 31st!  The Intro to Photography class is just right for you and your new DSLR.  You will learn how to use your camera and what the heck things like aperture mean, and why you need to know that so you can take awesome photos!

Remember when I was saying I didn't want to link to some of my older posts because I was kind of embarrassed about the pictures I used to take.  Well I have been the guinea pig for his lessons and look how much better I've gotten!  I only have to take a couple pictures to get it right instead of 20.

Level Up! Photography workshops are a great way to expand your photography skills whether you are a momtog or a professional.  To be entered to win a spot in the upcoming Intro to Photography class, visit the Level Up! facebook page and like it if you haven't already.  Then come back here and tell me how much you are looking forward to learning how to use your camera.  

Good Luck!  A winner will be chosen Tuesday March 27th.  

Don't want to stress about not getting a spot in the class if you don't win?  Go ahead and register for the class!

A Million Words Or Just One Word Couldn't Explain.

We finally tracked down a video that we haven't seen in probably four years, lost after moving.  Lost forever we though when we switched to a Mac last summer.   Four years and I still cry when I watch it.

4 1/2 years have passed from this day and I still can't even believe I was so lucky to be able to actually experience it,  just once.  

4 1/2 years isn't even how long I begged my Heavenly Father to have those moments.  Maybe when Ivy has been here longer than I wished for her to be here I won't cry.

Or maybe someday I will only cry happy tears.

 Ivy Faith Warnick

video by Darin Warnick circa 2007

The Icing On My Cupcake

  The card is always the best part.  

Those two, Ivy and Darin, they are the jelly to my peanut butter...

The cheese to my macaroni...

The strawberries to my shortcake.  

Loving them and having them love me is the icing on my cupcake.

Hippies And Hearts

Hello everyone!  I am so excited to FINALLY share our "Hippies and Hearts" photo shoot with you.  I was able to help with the styling and made a few things.  You'll see them as you watch the video {which I highly recommend it is gorgeous.}  Pretty things like my Burlap Wreath, my wood+glitter heart, and some other little things here and there.  Thank you so much FotoNovella and Darin Warnick Photography for letting me be a part of your amazing project.  

+++

{If you follow me on twitter you saw that our Hippies and Hearts was featured!}

As Seen on 

Borrowed and Bleu

Hi Fi Weddings

Wedding Wire 

One Stylish Bride


Forget Me Knot Weddings

{and a few more waiting in the wings!}

                                                                                                                       

Valentines {monthly plug edition}

Umm did anyone NOT get the flu thats going around?!  I am so glad to be feeling better, I was even able to go to Pilates this morning, which after a week off was wonderful. 

But now I'm scrambling trying to get caught up on a few days worth of things like laundry and cleaning, and a couple of things I've been meaning to tell you about {with a Valentines twist}...

Have you made it to a Passionista Presents show yet?  I have thoroughly enjoyed each one and I know I'm going to like this one too.  The Lower Lights will be here on March 5th.  You can learn more about them HERE, and I highly recommend you get your tickets soon.  Wouldn't this be a great Valentines gift?  I can picture it now...babysitter, dinner, amazing music.  Sigh.

Get your tickets HERE

Darin is having his last Intro to Lighting class for the season on February 19th.  He'll start back up in the fall, but that is a long time to wait. So check it out.  I think you'll love it.  {You don't even need to have a fancy flash to take the class, so there's nothing holding you back!}  What does this have to do with Valentines?  Not much really unless you are treating yourself, or someone you know.  You can convince your husband it is an investment!

And lastly if you have a teenager in your house, then they would probably love this print in their room! 

Remember, its teen tested! ;)   I've got the digital file in my shop over there.  For only $2!  Just let me know the size when you check out and I'll send you the file.    Its available in 8x10, 11x14 and 20x30.  

So eh, don't you think those would be good Valentines gifts?  I'm just saying.  

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New Horizons

I am constantly blown away by the talented people here in Tri Cities.  And then they always take it one step further and give so willingly of their talents.  My friend Meg put together an amazing experience for local photographers to help out some girls at the New Horizons school.  Darin was able to go behind the scenes and capture the whole experience in video.  It was an amazing experience for everyone involved and I'm so lucky to have such fabulous friends.  {And a pretty amazing husband.}  You can read more about their experience HERE.   Check out the video below to catch a glimpse of a special day.

A little of this and a little of that...

Wow!  Can I just say what a whirlwind it has been around here?! Birthdays, Halloween, and last Saturday was our "Relief Society Workshop". Man oh man is it a lot of work putting on a party for that many ladies.  We set up every single table and chair the gym had to offer.  Phew!  And after cutting a couple hundred pieces of wood and cleaning out 3 Walmarts and 2 Home Depots, no wonder I was beat last Saturday! 

I have had about a day's lull between all of that and my next project.  So I did a little bit of cleaning up around here.  I'm sure you already noticed my new header, but here it is again in case you missed it! Can't hang on to Halloween forever.  {I still have to take down all of the Halloween decorations around my house!}

I also changed up my photo.  We went scouting a new spot last week and Darin took some great photos.  I love this one of Ivy and I.  And FYI, Darin has his lighting class rolling around again on December 4th.  He as a couple spots left so sign up quick if you are interested!  

And I'm finally getting around to answering some of your questions!  Celia of course agreed to share her Proclamation with you all.  I uploaded it to Scribd, so you can click HERE to download it.  And HERE are the directions for making the proclamation blocks if you want to make one. {I also updated that post with the link as well.} 

+++ If you would like to know what the Family Proclamation is you can read it more clearly HERE.+++

I do have more countdown block kits.  I have Christmas ones {lots of fun different paper!} all ready to go so just shoot me an email if you are still interested!  {Yes Anna, I'm shipping yours out this week}  And I've had several people ask me about the numbers for the blocks.  The trick is, your six has to be able to turn upside down to be a nine.  On the first block your numbers will be 0,1,2,3,4,5.  The second block is 0,1,2,6,7,8. 

And last but not least in more Darin news, today is his birthday!  Can I just tell you that I love this man.  He keeps me grounded and I'm lucky because he thinks I'm the prettiest girl around.  He blows me away with his talent.   It is quite possible that he is the most creative one around here. I love him so much that I made him a stack of cookies!  We aren't much for cake around here so it was a big hit.  Happy birthday Babe!

Oh, whoops one last thing.  Thanks for loving Ellayne's slippers!  I would LOVE to do custom orders! I will just need a bit of time since my next project is a Holiday Bazaar next Saturday.  Yep next Saturday and my procrastinating skills are getting the best of me. ;) Yikes!  I've really got to kick it in to high gear!

Talk to you soon!

My Favorite Photos {and a winner!}

Howdy!  Three posts in one day must be a record!  Well I know you guys want to know who won but first I want to share my favorite photos!

 Have you seen this UP photoshoot?!  It is seriously so amazing.  I decided after seeing these photos that everyone should be allowed to do their whole wedding over again after 10 years.
  Check out the whole series.  Seriously fabulous.

UP Engagements pt.1

UP Engagements pt.2

UP Wedding

This is still my favorite picture of Darin and I.  Our friend Stacy took it earlier this year in Utah at a super cool junkyard.

We took Ivy bowling last week and this photo caught my eye.  These two are seriously the best of buddies.  Ivy definitely gets her fabulous imagination from that man.  They come up with the craziest things!

+++

 

OK OK on with the show.     The winner of the DW Photography giveaway is....

#28!   Turners who said...

this is Emily by the way and now Im a follower. just pick me : )

Holla!  Emily I'm so excited for you!  

And thanks so much everyone!  I've been loving the response this week.  Darin has offered all of you 15% off if you book through the end of the year.  Just mention his cute wife and he'll give you a deal ;)

Have a fabulous weekend!

I'm Famous! {a giveaway} CLOSED

A big shout out to Marcy {who I met at Project:Craft!} and became my 100th follower! You are going to thank her in a minute too. 

Ok.   I'm not famous.  Not really.  At all.  But you guys are making me feel so great lately! Seriously. 

Especially when I get to meet you in real life.

 

{source}

First let me apologize for being so absent lately.  Then I'll get to the good part.  I have been cleaning out.  Rearranging.  Re-evaluating.  I've even sat down to write out some meaningful type post about my feelings lately.  I'm not much of a writer though.  I decided its best to stick with whats easy to share for now.  So this space has taken a back seat.  Mostly because I don't have much in the way of craftiness to share.  Its hard to create something when you can't even see the craft room floor!  But I'm feeling good.  Slowly getting my mojo back.  Plus the sun is shining today.  It makes me happy! 

So here's the fun part!  I've been saving this giveaway for when I hit 100 followers.  And because I'm feeling so loved by all the fabulous people here in the Tri Cities this one is for you!  {Unless of course you are willing to come visit  me for the prize, and its totally worth it.  But travel expenses aren't included} ;)

 

Darin wants to give one of you lucky peeps a photo session! For free! That is a $299 prize so whoever wins is super lucky! Isn't fall an awesome time to get your family photos done? Or are you feeling like pampering yourself and having your own beauty shoot done?!  {Its ok to do something for yourself every once in awhile!}  Its senior season too, so whatever you are needing/or wanting thats what you'll get! {excludes weddings}

Here is the nitty gritty.  

+You need to leave me a comment telling me about your favorite photo you have seen lately.  

+You will definitely get bonus points if you are a follower or become one.  So leave me a comment about that too. 

+I'll even throw in a extra chance if you use your favorite form of social media to spread the word.  I know you are thinking it just gets more people to enter which lessens your chance.  But Lyssa won last time because she did. Just sayin.  

+You HAVE to comment though.  Because a winner will be drawn FROM THE COMMENTS SECTION on Friday October 1st. 

See I told you that you would thank Marcy too.  ;)

Level Up

There's this photographer I know that is really good. ;)  He has started teaching some workshops that are amazing. Do you have a DSLR and want to step up your game?  Darin is definitely your guy.  Not only is he a lighting master he is one of the best teachers I know.    This weekend is his Intro to Dynamic Lighting class.  

Here is what Darin has to say about it!

I've had requests for an intro to lighting class, so here it is! Half day class, with room for 10 students. We will go over the technical aspects of dynamic light and off camera flash with an emphasis on creating portraits that stand out from the rest.

A common question is "how did you do that?" We will go over the "how to" part, but also delve into the "why did you do that" when looking to develop our own unique style as a story...teller.

With minimal impact on your wallet, I'll show you how to build a portable, lightweight lighting kit that is always with you and ready to go. Easy to set up and tear down. No more excuses for not creating the lighting you want!

+Class will include a power point workbook/presentation as a future reference with links on where to get the pieces you need for your kit.

+2 hours in the classroom and 2 hours shooting on location with models provided.

+No previous experience or special equipment needed.

There are just a couple spots left!  The class is this Saturday September 18th from 3-7 pm.  Cost is $100.  If you are a member of the Tri Cities Photography Club the cost is only $75. So be sure to contact Darin so you can secure your spot! 

I heart Picnik

 I think I'm late in the game, but I have a new love.  I really do heart Picnik.  From their clever loading phrases to their bugs and grass everywhere.  It makes it fun to edit photos!  I do like Photoshop but it can be so darn frustrating sometimes.  Well I took some of my  pictures from my photos hoot the other night to show you some of my favorite effects in Picnik.

{cinemascope without the filmstrips + rounded edges frame}

I love that on each thing you can customize it.  Like taking off the film strips or adjusting how rounded you want your corners.  I think this one is my favorite.  Hence the Facebook profile picture!

{cross-processing, faded just a bit + rounded corners}

Cross-processing is by FAR my favorite.  It gives that vintage-y summer feel that I love.  I almost always fade it to about 45 percent.  

{collage}

The only time I really want to upgrade to Premium (its free unless you want more stuff) is really when I try the collages because they have way more layouts in premium.  But I'm cheap and these work!  You can change the color, spacing, sizing and all that.  Much easier than trying to figure all of that out in Photoshop!

 {polaroid frame + text}

These polaroid frames are fun and always make me think of Jim and Pam's wedding on the Office when they pretend to capture moments with a camera. Little side note- I sure hope the Office is a little bit better this season.  Is it just me or did it lag just a bit this past year?

{black frame + exposure}

Sorry,back on track :).  You can also do basic editing like fill light.  You save them right to your computer and all of the sudden you are a pro photo editor!

 {before and after + rotate + '60's}

Here you get the whole picture.  The photo on the left is the original and the right is rotated and has a '60's effect on it.  Pretty cool huh?!  It was really fun getting all dolled up and getting my pictures taken.  I was inspired by my friend Stacy and her beauty shots she got a couple of weeks ago.  Hope you enjoyed the photos!  Now go mess around with Picnik!

{FULL DISCLAIMER}

You have to have good photos to begin with!  Thanks Darin, for making me look so beautiful.  I heart you too ;)

Photo Props

When I was in Portland a couple of weeks ago my sister and I hit up the thrift stores for some photo props for Darin.  I wish I had remembered my camera because these places were incredible.  We hit the jackpot at Rerun in NE Portland off of Fremont.  Everywhere else was a little spendy, but we scored a couple of chairs, a trunk, some suitcases and a couple of odds and ends.  

  Here is a stack of luggage that we thought was cute all together.  The white trunk is wood and is blue inside and has some chinese tag inside.  The yellow has an amazing green lining that is in super good shape.  And the black hat box was just too rad to pass up.  Wait until you see the lining!

Isn't it fabulous?!  Well as awesome as our finds were I wanted to spruce them up just a bit.  I used some vinyl and I guess I was too focused trying to get it done because I forgot to take pictures of the process.  But here is how they turned out...

I LOVE how the trunk turned out.  I had been waiting for just the right project to use Jen's Quatrafoil at Tatertots and Jello.  The best part about her download is it is a PNG and it is tile-able.  Which means it repeats when put together.  

{source}

Pretty cool huh.  And she was so nice to share!

 I added a swirl to the hat box using the letter "Z" from DB Fright Night.

Kind of fun huh?  I'm thinking I just need to use it for my luggage all the time.  Or stack them up for an end table with a lamp.  Of course all photos were courtesy of Darin. I'll show you the rest of the pictures from our photoshoot tomorrow.  I know you are just on pins and needles!